Thread: What tricks have you learned?

I'm about to abandon my safety razor for the exciting world of straight razor shaving this coming week when my strop arrives. I've watched videos regarding straights, and one gentleman uses a wet sponge to wipe off his straight. I've always seen towels, and this was the first, so it inspired me to ask this question:

What little tricks did you learn through out the years that has made your shave a more pleasurable experience?

It's not as easy as it seems on you- tube.

I don't think there are any little tricks.

There are a series of skill sets you need to learn and they take varying amounts of time to master. Some master them faster than others but in the end it's just a matter of practice. if there are any shortcuts out there I wish someone would tell me about them.

I think when you say tricks you mean ways of doing some of the minor things like drying a blade after use maybe? We could fill pages with those things.

How to smuggle copious razors past your wife and into the secret storage area using only a paperclip and some vaseline.

James.

The most valuable things I've learned that improved my shave were: different ways to hold the razor, being able to use my off-hand, and mastering the ridiculous facial expressions needed to get certain spots of my face taut.

I'm new to this, but here are some of the things that seem to make a difference for me:

1. Pay attention. Always. I find that I'm having a great shave, maybe I'm on my second pass or just going to touch up a couple spots when....hey, is that dinner?.. aaah! <nick>

2. Good pre-shave preparation pays off. Best for me is warm shower, face wash, good lather, hot towel, good lather, shave.

3. Hold the razor lightly; use light pressure. I actually think that if I'm concentrating on using light pressure, I'm actually paying attention to my shaving and this is what makes a difference.

4. Keep the razor sharp. I strop before and after the shave. Hone if I suspect I'm getting too much tugging.

5. Keep your skin as taut as possible. Funny expressions or off-hand stretching, I do anything short of a staple gun to keep my skin taut for the blade.

6. Relax, breathe, and have fun. I laugh every time I cut myself, because I've caught myself not doing one of the above.

One nice little trick is to use a block of Alum during your shave to increase your finger traction for skin stretching. Rub your fingers on the alum and then you will get better grip on your face. I love feeling like I have a velcro attachment with my skin when I'm stretching it!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

...We could fill pages with those things...

Yeah, we could...I think those pages are called the straightrazorplace.com forum :-)

Best hint I can give is "get a routine after reading all you can here". A routine based on the sound advice you find on these pages will give a good foundation and allow for logical error checking. Going at it in an haphazard way with little information would lead to disaster. You've made the most important step in joining this forum. There's other information out there, but nothing anywhere near as detailed as the forums here, imMho...

Mr. Curry,

I posted this awhile back. Top 5 tricks learned

I hope, at least, one of them will help make your shaving more enjoyable.

Best regards,
Jimbo

In my opinion, the techniques used for the WTG pass, when reducing your whiskers to skin level, are much different than the shaving techniques for the rest of the shave. I wish I had known this when I started.